Women do not need to undergo humiliating examinations in order to test for sexually transmitted diseases. Urine testing and/or self-collected vaginal swabs are acceptable alternatives to an internal exam. The American College of Physicians and Surgeons (ACOG) Committee Opinion states the following:
“Nucleic acid amplification testing on urine samples or vaginal swab specimens is now an acceptable form of screening for gonorrhea and chlamydial infections, obviating the need for cervical sampling. Other options that do not require an internal examination include self-collected vaginal swabs for diagnosing yeast infections, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis” ACOG Committee Opinion: http://www.acog.org/~/media/Committee%20Opinions/Committee%20on%20Gynecologic%20Practice/co534.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120725T1446128683
Sexually transmitted disease testing is each woman’s choice and there is no need to submit to an unwanted examination if a decision to undergo testing is made. As one poster on this blog has stated: “TAKE BACK YOUR BODY. THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY FEELS THAT IT IS THEIR RIGHT TO NUDE YOU AS A PERK, AND FOR GREED. DON’T BE NAIVE!” (Alexis) http://forwomenseyesonly.com/2012/09/09/the-other-side-of-the-speculum-a-male-doctors-point-of-view/ Well put.
